What is the strategy? Create-a-Graph is a browser-based graphing program
developed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The program offers a very simple user interface (Classic version, shown at right) where students can input their data and basic information, but avoid the hassles of configuring graphing software. Teachers can pre-configure the graph design, settings, and layout, allowing students to focus on proper data collection and entry, and assigning axis labels. The program has an export feature that allows graphs to be downloaded as PDF or image files, or emailed directly to the instructor.
To the left of the main window are tabs for Help, including a tutorial, and Examples that students and teachers can use to familiarize themselves with the program (Advanced version, shown below). The examples provided could be used when introducing types of graphs and their uses, types of variables, and axis labeling conventions. Students can practice interpreting and critiquing these examples, and the teacher can devise questions from the sample graphs.
When is it used? Create-a-Graph can be used as an introduction to graphing with technology, especially for students who may not be ready to navigate spreadsheets. Create-a-Graph has two main versions, Classic and Advanced. The Classic version (above) is much more simplistic, while the Advanced version (below) allows for more customization of graph features and file export. Create-a-Graph could easily be used for student reports and independent projects, or for students to graph their scores over the semester to monitor their performance.
What does it look like? The Create-a-Graph landing page will allow you to choose from Bar, Line, Area, Pie, or scatter (XY) graphs. After selection, the data entry screen appears (Advanced version shown at right). Once data are entered, the Preview tab allows students to review the graph produced with their current settings. Finally, the Print/Save feature allows the graph to be exported or emailed for use.
Where can I find more information? More information can be found at the NCES website for Create-a-Graph here.
What will instruction look like? Initially, students will need modeling and guidance on how to use the graphing program. A guided exploration of features is important. For some sciences classes, students may be expected to become capable of navigating the program independently after only a few exposures. For other classes, step-by-step assembly of graphs with significant teacher assistance may be required.
Science and Math Scatter plots, line graphs, and bar graphs can be useful when reporting data from experiments and studies.
Unfortunately, Create-a-Graph does not currently support regression features.
ELA and Social Studies
Bar graphs and pie charts can be useful for comparing student assessment of character values or attributes or for assessing historical situations by numbers.
This pie chart was generated using casualty-from-war data found on Wikipedia.
Students can generate their own data sets by ranking statements about character (or story) attributes, then graphing them.
What is the strategy?
Create-a-Graph is a browser-based graphing program
developed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The program offers a very simple user interface (Classic version, shown at right) where students can input their data and basic information, but avoid the hassles of configuring graphing software. Teachers can pre-configure the graph design, settings, and layout, allowing students to focus on proper data collection and entry, and assigning axis labels. The program has an export feature that allows graphs to be downloaded as PDF or image files, or emailed directly to the instructor.
To the left of the main window are tabs for Help, including a tutorial, and Examples that students and teachers can use to familiarize themselves with the program (Advanced version, shown below). The examples provided could be used when introducing types of graphs and their uses, types of variables, and axis labeling conventions. Students can practice interpreting and critiquing these examples, and the teacher can devise questions from the sample graphs.
When is it used?
Create-a-Graph can be used as an introduction to graphing with technology, especially for students who may not be ready to navigate spreadsheets. Create-a-Graph has two main versions, Classic and Advanced. The Classic version (above) is much more simplistic, while the Advanced version (below) allows for more customization of graph features and file export. Create-a-Graph could easily be used for student reports and independent projects, or for students to graph their scores over the semester to monitor their performance.
What does it look like?
Where can I find more information?
More information can be found at the NCES website for Create-a-Graph here.
What will instruction look like?
Science and Math
Scatter plots, line graphs, and bar graphs can be useful when reporting data from experiments and studies.
Unfortunately, Create-a-Graph does not currently support regression features.
ELA and Social Studies
Bar graphs and pie charts can be useful for comparing student assessment of character values or attributes or for assessing historical situations by numbers.
This pie chart was generated using casualty-from-war data found on Wikipedia.
Students can generate their own data sets by ranking statements about character (or story) attributes, then graphing them.